Helmet

ABSTRACT

A rigid shell helmet has an improved way of holding the shell uniformly over the head of the wearer. This includes a cap formed of a network of non-stretchable bands arranged in arcs passing closely over the head and crossing each other at many points to form the legs of triangles arranged in hexagonal groups over the head with the bands in tension between the apexes of the triangles. The cap provides a firm grip on the head at all angles, and is centered within the helmet shell by a plurality of non-stretchable straps extending tangentially in tension from the cap to the shell. Several of these straps are preferably in the zenith region of the cap, and the lower region of the cap is secured to the lower region of the shell.

States llfiavanagh et al.

[11] 3,735Alfi [451 May 29, 1973 [541 HELMET [76] Inventors: Frank J.Kavanagh, 406 No. Cay uga Street; Solomon C. Hollister, 201 HallisterBuilding, both of Ithaca, NY.

[22] Filed: Dec. 27, 1971 [21] Appl, No.: 212,077

[52] US. Cl. ..2/3 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A42b 3/00 [58] Field of Search..2/3, 5, 6, 68, 209

[56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1964 Dye ..2/3 RPrimary Examiner-James R. Boler Att0rney-Cumpston, Sh aw & Stephens [57] ABSTRACT A rigid shell helmet has an improved-way of holding theshell uniformly over the head of the wearer. This includes a cap formedof a network of non-stretchable bands arranged in arcs passing closelyover the head and crossing each other at many points to form the legs oftriangles arranged in hexagonal groups over the head with the bands intension between the apexes of the triangles. The cap provides a firmgrip on the head at all angles, and is centered within the helmet shellby a plurality of non-stretchable straps extending tangentially intension from the cap to the shell. Several of these straps arepreferably in the zenith region of the cap, and the lower region of thecapis secured to the lower region of the shell.

16 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIEMEYZSIQH 3,735,418

SHEET 1 [1F 2 INVENTORS FRANK J- KAVANAGH BY SOLOMON C- HOLLISTER ATTORNE Y5 PATENTEUMAYZSISIS 3,735,418

saw 2 OF 2 VA$Z 55 53 1 49 I- xiii ix A, 49

mmm

FIG- IO INVENTORS FRANK J- HAVANAGH SOLOMON C- HO ISTER ATTORNEYS HELMETTHE INVENTIVE IMPROVEMENT Helmets used in football and other sports,construction work, motorcycle riding, automobile racing, etc., havesubstantially rigid outer protective shells, and some way of centeringand supporting the head within the shell. These have included paddingbetween the head and the shell interior, or an equatorial head bandaround and spaced from the helmet shell to center the equatorial regionof the head within the helmet shell, combined with straps arranged invarious ways over the wearers head to hold the top of the helmet shellabove the zenith of the head.

The invention involves analysis of the defects and deficiencies ofprior-art ways of supporting and centering the helmet shell over thehead, and the invention proposes an improved and different way ofcentering the helmet shell on the head.

For example, previous helmet support arrangements have allowed thehelmet to tilt or twist on the head of the wearer, so that blows at someangles drive the helmet shell against the wearers head. Also, althoughprevious systems have worked well in supporting the helmet shell againstvertical blows down on the zenith or lateral blows in the plane ofthe-equatorial head band, they have allowed oblique blows between thezenith and the horizontal to drive the helmet shell against the wearer'shead and cause injuries.

The invention seeks to overcome these defects in an improved means forcentering and supporting a helmet shell on the head of the wearer. Theinvention aims at safety, reliability, efficiency, and economy in animproved helmet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventive means for maintaining a helmetshell uniformly spaced over the head of the wearer includes a cap formedof a network of substantially non stretchable, flexible bands arrangedin arcs passing closely over the head. The bands cross each other at aplurality of points forming the legs of triangles arranged in hexagonalgroups over the head. The bands are fixed relative to each other at thecrossing points at the apexes of the triangles, and the bands are intension between the apexes of the triangles when the cap is on the head.A plurality of substantially non-stretchable straps are secured to thecap and extend substantially tangentially in tension from the cap to theshell to support the cap in spaced relation to the shell, and the lowerregion of the cap is secured to the lower region of the shell.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway elevational view of a preferredembodiment of the inventive helmet positioned on the head of a wearer;

FIG. 2 is fragmentary plan view of a preferred anchoring straparrangement for the zenith of the cap of the helmet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the fastening of the lowerends of the bands of the cap in the inventive helmet.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of another preferred way ofsecuring the lower ends of the bands of the inventive cap to the bottomof the helmet shell;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a combination pad andband material for forming the inventive helmet cap;

FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away elevational view of another preferredembodiment of the inventive helmet on the head of the wearer;

FIG. 7 is a cut-away, top view of a preferred alternative embodiment ofthe inventive helmet;

FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away, elevational view of the helmet of FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, plan view of a cap construction forthe'inventive helmet; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the cap constructionof FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The inventive helmet differs from prior-art helmetsin having an internal cap that closely fits the head of the wearer andclosely grips the wearers head in a wide and uniform manner. Rather thanletting the helmet turn or twist relative to the internal support, thecap is connected to the helmet by generally tangential tension strapsthat locate it fairly securely within the central region of the helmetshell. This keeps the head centered within the helmet shell to move withthe helmet shell in response to a blow or impact. The force of any suchblow or impact is widely distributed over the head by the close-fittingcap, but the shell is not allowed to touch the head of the wearerregardless of the angle of the blow. This has not been true of prior-arthelmets, and it will be understood better from the followingdescription.

Cap 11 fits tightly and securely over the head of the wearer insidehelmet shell 10. Cap 11 is formed of a network of bands 12 that crosseach other at many apexes 13 to form triangles arranged in hexagonalgroups over the front and back of the band. Bands 12 are substantiallynon-stretchable and are flexible to fit closely over the head. Asillustrated, bands 12 are generally laid in arcs passing closely overthe wearers head.

When cap 11 is fitted over the wearers head, bands 12 are in tensionbetween apexes 13. This is accomplished by securing bands 12 together atapexes 13 or by forming bands 12 of an integral, non-stretchablematerial so that distances between apexes 13 are generally fixed. Bands12 can be formed as fabric tapes stitched or otherwise secured togetherat apexes 13, or as best shown in FIG. 5, bands 12 can be formed asembossed lines in a thermoplastic pad material 15 extending betweenbands 12. Also, bands 12 can be formed as tapes, fabric or othermaterial made integral with a padding material, or padding arrangedaround or extending between the tapes.

Cap 11 is supported centrally within helmet shell 10 so as to maintainuniform spacing from the inside of helmet shell 10. Such supporting ispreferably accomplished at the zenith of cap 11 and also near the bottomof helmet shell 10 either directly or through an equatorial head bandinside helmet shell 10.

A preferred arrangement for securing the zenith of cap 11 to helmetshell 10 is best shown in FIG. 2. A triangle 16 is selected in theregion of the zenith of cap 1 1, and support straps 17 19 are secured tocap 11 to extend in the direction of the legs of triangle 16. The endsof straps l7 19 have terminations 20 fastened to helmet shell 10 byrivets, stitching or other means.

Straps l7 19 extend preferably tangentially from the legs of triangle 16to connect the zenith of cap 11 in tension to helmet shell 10. Straps 1719 can be formed either as separate tapes or strips sewed or otherwisesecured to cap 11, or can be as extensions of selected bands 12 reachingto the zenith area of triangle 16. Also, it is not necessary thatanchoring straps 17 19 all extend from the legs of a single triangle, solong as a number of anchoring straps are provided extendingsubstantially tangentially to tension the zenith of cap 1 1 in a numberof directions to maintain it securely in position relative to the zenithof helmet 10. Support points other than the zenith of cap 11 maysimilarly be anchored to shell by using anchoring straps 17 19 at pointsaround the sides, front, and back of cap 11, or around band 23.Preferably, enough tension straps 17 19 are used to extend tangentiallyin tension between cap 11 and shell 10, to center cap 11 securely withinshell 10 to resist blows from any direction on shell 10.

Portions of straps l7 19 are illustrated in FIG. 1. Additional anchoringstraps can be run preferably tangentially from any selected point on cap11 to helmet shell 10 to help maintain cap 11 in position within shell10. One such additional strap 21 is shown in FIG. 1.

The bottom of cap 11 is also anchored securely within helmet shell 10 asshown in either FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. In the arrangement of FIG. 3, thelower ends of bands 12 have terminations 22 secured directly to theinside of helmet shell 10 along the bottom edge thereof by rivets,stitching, or other fastening means. This securely anchors each end ofeach band 12.

In the alternative arrangement of FIG. 4, the lower ends of bands 12 arestitched or otherwise secured to a strip 23 of fabric or other materialthat in turn is fastened in place around the lower edge of helmet shell10. In a similar way, this provides a secure anchorage for each end ofeach band 12. Alternatively, strip 23 can form an equatorial head bandsecured within helmet shell 10 in spaced relation therefrom by agenerally known construction rather than being secured directly tohelmet shell 10. This preferably includes tension straps extendingtangentially from head band 23 to the interior of shell 10.

Cap 31 within helmet shell 30 is formed from a padding material to havebands 32 formed of material integral with padding 15 and arranged inintersecting arcs as illustrated. Cap 31 can be formed of a single domeof thermoplastic padding material 15 in which band lines 32 are embossedsuch as illustrated in crosssection in FIG. 5, or bands 32 can be fonnedas intersecting tapes on which padding material is arranged to fill thetriangles between bands 32 and extend between bands 32 to form anintegral, padded cap 31. This preserves the holding network of bands 32and adds the advantage of a generally padded cap 31.

The zenith of cap 31 is secured within helmet shell 30 by straps 33 afew of which are illustrated. Straps 33 are preferably tapes of materialsecured to cap 31 in the manner described above to extend tangentiallyfor a tensioned connection to the inside of helmet shell 30. The bottomof cap 31 is preferably stitched or otherwise secured to the inside ofhelmet shell 30.

Cap 41 is centered within helmet shell 40 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 byanother preferred spring strap arrangement. Cap 41 is formed of crossedbands intersecting to form the apexes of triangles arranged in hexagonalgroups over the wearers head. Some of the straps extend tangentially intension from cap 41 to the interior of shell 40 to center cap 41 withinshell 41). For example, bands 42 and 43 extend tangentially outward inextension straps joining in a connector tab 44 secured to the inside ofhelmet shell 40. Similarly, bands 45 and 46 extend tangentially outwardfrom cap 41 to form spring straps joining in connector tab 47 secured tothe inside of shell 40. Also, a longitudinal, fore and aft band 48extends tangentially outward in tension at the front and back of cap 41to terminate in connector tabs 49 secured to the inside of shell 40.

Around the equatorial region of cap 41, fore and aft straps 51 and 52pass over and are secured to cap 41 along the equatorial head bandregion to extend tangentially forward and backward to respectiveterminations 53 and 54 secured to the inside of shell 40. In addition, apair of lateral spring straps 55 and 56 pass respectively across thefront and rear regions of cap ll and terminate respectively in connectortabs 57 and 58 secured to shell 40.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show another preferred way of making a helmet capaccording to the invention. An inner layer of material is formed to fitthe head closely, and an outer layer of material 71 has embossed ridges72 arranged in patterns forming bands that pass over the cap andintersect at many points to form triangles arranged in hexagonal groups.Ridges 72 are secured to inner layer 70 such as by stitching 73 alongthe band lines. Layers 70 and 71 can be formed of leather, a strongfabric material, or a molded plastic material, and adhesion or somebonding other than stitching can be used to join layers 70 and 71together along the band lines. The interband spaces between ridges 72are filled with a padding material 74 in triangular shapes to till thespace between layers 71 and 72 and form a generally padded cap.

Since the inventive cap fits closely and firmly over the head of thewearer and since it is securely anchored within a helmet shell aroundthe bottom of the cap and at the zenith of the cap, it prevents sidewaystwisting, or other movement of the head relative to the helmet shell.This means that if the helmet shell is jarred or moved by a blow, thehead within the shell will move substantially in the same path. Mostblows directed against helmets are of short stroke so that such motionof the head does no damage. Furthermore, even if the cap is turned onthe wearers head, it still prevents any blow from moving the helmetrelative to the cap to a position so that the shell itself can touch thehead of the wearer and transmit the blow to a single localized spot onthe head. This eliminates any focusing of blows to damage the wearershead.

Any blow to the inventive helmet is transmitted to the cap by tension inanchoring straps 17 19 at the zenith of the cap or in the anchored endsof the cap bands, and such tension is transmitted through connectingbands throughout a wide area of the cap. This means that the force ofany blow is diffused widely over the head for maximum comfort andminimum damage.

It will thus be seen that the inventive helmet accomplishes its abovestated objects in both securely fixing the wearer's head within thehelmet shell and distributing any blow on the shell widely over the headof the wearer for maximum protection.

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that otherembodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances.Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing anddefining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or relatedembodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this applicationbut falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate the different materials, shapes, andconstructions that can be used for making helmets according to theinvention for various purposes.

We claim:

ll. In a helmet having a protective outer shell, improved means formaintaining said shell in a substantially uniformly spaced relation overthe head of the wearer, said means comprising:

a. a cap formed of a network of substantially nonstretchable, flexiblebands arranged in arcs passing closely over said head;

b. said bands crossing each other at a plurality of points to form thelegs of triangles arranged in hexagonal groups over said head;

0. said bands being fixed relative to each other at said crossing pointsat the apexes of said triangles;

d. said bands being in tension between said apexes of said triangleswhen said cap is on said head;

e. a plurality of substantially non-stretchable straps secured to saidcap and extending substantially tangentially in tension from said cap tosaid shell to support said cap in spaced relation to said shell; and

f. means for securing the lower region of said cap to the lower regionof said shell.

2. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said bands are tapes fastened togetherat said apexes of said triangles.

3. The helmet of claim 2 wherein said straps comprise extensions ofselected ones of said tapes beyond said apexes to said shell.

4. The helmet of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said straps extend fromthe zenith region of said cap to said shell.

5. The hehnet of claim 1 wherein said bands are formed as embossed linesin a pad of thermoplastic cushioning material extending between saidbands.

6. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said bands are formed as a network oftapes, and a padding material is made integral with said tapes andextends between said tapes.

7. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the lower ends of said bands aresecured to an anchoring strip fastened to said lower region of saidshell.

8. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the lower ends of said bands aresecured to an equatorial head band arranged in spaced relation from saidshell.

9. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said cap is formed of inner and outerlayers secured together to form said bands, and a padding material fillsthe space between the inter-band regions of said layers.

10. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said straps include a pair of strapspassing over said cap and secured to front and back regions of saidshell.

11. The helmet of claim 10 wherein said straps include a pair of saidstraps passing over said cap and secured to opposite side regions ofsaid shell.

12. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said straps comprise extensions ofselected ones of said bands beyond said apexes to said shell.

13. The helmet of claim 12 wherein a plurality of said straps extendfrom the zenith region of said cap to said shell.

14. The helmet of claim 13 wherein said bands are tapes fastenedtogether at said apexes of said triangles.

15. The helmet of claim 13 wherein said bands are formed as embossedlines in a pad of thermoplastic cushioning material extending betweensaid bands.

16. The helmet of claim 13 wherein said cap is fonned of inner and outerlayers secured together to form said bands and a padding material fillsthe space between the inter-band regions of said layers.

1. In a helmet having a protective outer shell, improved means formaintaining said shell in a substantially uniformly spaced relation overthe head of the wearer, said means comprising: a. a cap formed of anetwork of substantially non-stretchable, flexible bands arranged inarcs passing closely over said head; b. said bands crossing each otherat a plurality of points to form the legs of triangles arranged inhexagonal groups over said head; c. said bands being fixed relative toeach other at said crossing points at the apexes of said triangles; d.said bands being in tension between said apexes of said triangles whensaid cap is on said head; e. a plurality of substantiallynon-stretchable straps secured to said cap and extending substantiallytangentially in tension from said cap to said Shell to support said capin spaced relation to said shell; and f. means for securing the lowerregion of said cap to the lower region of said shell.
 2. The helmet ofclaim 1 wherein said bands are tapes fastened together at said apexes ofsaid triangles.
 3. The helmet of claim 2 wherein said straps compriseextensions of selected ones of said tapes beyond said apexes to saidshell.
 4. The helmet of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said strapsextend from the zenith region of said cap to said shell.
 5. The helmetof claim 1 wherein said bands are formed as embossed lines in a pad ofthermoplastic cushioning material extending between said bands.
 6. Thehelmet of claim 1 wherein said bands are formed as a network of tapes,and a padding material is made integral with said tapes and extendsbetween said tapes.
 7. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the lower ends ofsaid bands are secured to an anchoring strip fastened to said lowerregion of said shell.
 8. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the lower ends ofsaid bands are secured to an equatorial head band arranged in spacedrelation from said shell.
 9. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said cap isformed of inner and outer layers secured together to form said bands,and a padding material fills the space between the inter-band regions ofsaid layers.
 10. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said straps include apair of straps passing over said cap and secured to front and backregions of said shell.
 11. The helmet of claim 10 wherein said strapsinclude a pair of said straps passing over said cap and secured toopposite side regions of said shell.
 12. The helmet of claim 1 whereinsaid straps comprise extensions of selected ones of said bands beyondsaid apexes to said shell.
 13. The helmet of claim 12 wherein aplurality of said straps extend from the zenith region of said cap tosaid shell.
 14. The helmet of claim 13 wherein said bands are tapesfastened together at said apexes of said triangles.
 15. The helmet ofclaim 13 wherein said bands are formed as embossed lines in a pad ofthermoplastic cushioning material extending between said bands.
 16. Thehelmet of claim 13 wherein said cap is formed of inner and outer layerssecured together to form said bands and a padding material fills thespace between the inter-band regions of said layers.